Carson attracts big crowd to Sarasota book signing

There was the Amish man who said he cries when he reads Ben Carson’s books, the 101-year-old woman who declared “he is definitely going to be our president” and the group of moms who arrived at 7 a.m. to ensure they met the man who inspires them with his faith and life story.

Police Chief Bernadette DiPino poses for a photo with Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson during his book signing at Bookstore1Sarasota that was attended by hundreds of people on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO / RACHEL S. O’HARA

The crowd gathered for Carson’s noon book signing in downtown Sarasota Wednesday was so big it spilled off the sidewalk and into the streets, prompting police to shut down part of Main Street as a precaution.

It was the largest event ever hosted by Bookstore1Sarasota — which has seen a range of notable authors come through — and certainly the most raucous, with protesters chanting across the street and Carson supporters shouting “Win, Ben, Win” as the GOP presidential candidate arrived in a black bus with his name and face printed on the side.

When it was over, Carson had scrawled his name on 894 books. Many more people waited in line for a picture, a handshake or just to catch a glimpse of the candidate.

Nathan Overholt, a 49-year-old Amish Mennonite landscape contractor from Sarasota who brought his wife and six children to the event, said he reads Carson’s books to his children and they often move him to tears.

Amish resident Nathan Overholt said he cried when he read Ben Carson's books. He brought his family to a book signing on Wednesday in Sarasota.(Staff photo / Zac Anderson)

“He’s such a humble man who always gave God and others the credit for his success,” Overholt said.

Bradenton resident Angela Sabo, 37, was the first in line at the bookstore at 7 a.m. with two friends and their 10 children. The mothers all home-school their children and appreciate that Carson is an outspoken advocate for home-schooling.

“We like that he is a Christian and puts God first,” Sabo said.

Carson’s deep religious faith — he is a Seventh-day Adventist — is a major part of his attraction but far from the only reason people waited for hours to meet him.

Lakewood Ranch resident Frank Morgan, 66, said he is not particularly religious. Instead, he likes that Carson is “true to the Constitution” and he supports the candidate’s flat-tax proposal. It also helps that “he’s not a bombastic idiot like (Donald) Trump” said Morgan, a retired engineer.

Many people waiting in line also pointed to Carson’s life story — he grew up poor in Detroit but graduated from Yale University and became head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital — as a reason to support him. Others said they like the fact that he has never held elected office.

“He’s not part of the establishment,” said William Benekos, 67, a semi-retired Sarasota accountant. “I don’t trust the establishment.”

Carson signed books for roughly two hours in a gray suit, pink shirt and striped pink tie. He took a short break to answer a handful of questions from the media.

The candidate expressed support for medical marijuana but said he opposes full-blown legalization.

“It can affect one’s IQ,” he said. “We don’t need more people with affected IQs.”

Asked about Trump’s upcoming appearance on "Saturday Night Live" and whether he would host the show if asked, Carson said no way.

“I think the presidency is a very serious thing,” he said.

One of the first issues he would tackle as president is the national debt, Carson said. The candidate also pledged to maintain the same strategy now that he’s leading in the polls.

Carson’s controversial statements have drawn criticism at times.

“He holds center stage as a figure of division and discrimination,” said Bryan Ellis, an organizer for the liberal Suncoast Answer Coalition.

Ellis and about two dozen others chanted and waved signs across the street from the book signing. The protesters said they were offended by statements Carson has made on a range of topics, including homosexuality, Muslims and the Holocaust.

“I don’t feel like I have to make a lot of changes because I’m not a politician,” Carson said when asked about his campaign strategy. “Politicians are always putting their finger in the air saying: ‘Now what do I have to do?’ Whereas all I have to do is tell the truth.”

Despite Carson’s popularity in the GOP, there are many within his own party who still wonder if he has what it takes to be president. Some question whether he is assertive enough.

“Unfortunately, if he had a little more forceful presentation, he would be regarded as more suitable by more people,” said Morgan.